Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a series of mental and physical birth defects The manifestations of these defects are associated with a mother’s ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome annually affects between 1.3 and 2.2 children per 1,000 live births in North America. Researchers estimate that cases of Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) exceed those of FAS by a ratio of 2:1 to 3:1. This would indicate that women in the U.S. annually give birth to between 16,548 and 22,064 children exhibiting the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Alcohol use or abuse by the pregnant woman subjects her to the same range of risks that alcohol does in the general population. However, it poses extreme and unique risks to the fetus and is associated with FAS. Timing of alcohol use during pregnancy is also of importance. Alcohol use during the second trimester is more damaging than use in the third trimester.

Alcohol ingested by a pregnant woman easily passes across the placental barrier to the fetus. Because of this, drinking alcohol can adversely affect the development of the baby.

Research of the Effects of parental ex

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Abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy prevents fetal alcohol syndrome. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone.

Research on the extent and effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol is sometimes contradictory. It is sometimes difficult to find appropriate candidates for study.

Tests for FAS

There are some tests that physicians can implement to determine FAS. Abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy prevents fetal alcohol syndrome. It is done much the same way as any other medical research conducted under non-experimental conditions. Alcohol related researches were more likely to be presented because the results were more pronounced.

Complications

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy may result in miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, mental retardation, an infant that is small for the gestational age, facial or cranial malformations, major organ defects, slow growth, poor coordination, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and death. It is done much the same way as any other medical research conducted under non-experimental conditions. It is sometimes difficult to find appropriate candidates for study. Timing of alcohol use during pregnancy is also of importance. The risks to infant development do not end with the neonatal period. ”

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

By Stacney Martin

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a series of mental and physical birth defects The manifestations of these defects are associated with a mother’s ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy.

Conclusion

While precise data is lacking, it appears that a fairly substantial number of women use alcohol and other drugs during their pregnancies.

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